How do water rights vary across regions?

Water rights in New York vary across regions due to a variety of factors. The primary distinction is between surface water and ground water. Surface water rights are regulated by a system of prior appropriation, which gives senior water users first priority in water access. Ground water rights are more localized and are subject to the "rule of capture," which holds that a person owns the water below the surface of their land and can use it as they wish. In addition, the rights of those living on or next to various water sources are handled on a case-by-case basis. For example, residents who live on rivers, streams, or lakes can often obtain riparian rights that give them access to the water in those sources. Additionally, some local governments may be able to grant special permits that allow for the use of water from certain sources. As a result, water rights will vary from region to region depending on the geography and the type of water use. To further complicate matters, some water rights do not stem from New York law, but are instead contractually negotiated between state and federal governments. This means that organizations such as dams or power plants may have exclusive rights to certain sources of water that are not available to the general public.

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How do water rights vary across regions?

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